Local biz profile: Rose believes in looking forward, not back

The building at 1201 S. 1st St. dates back to 1922 and was the location of Abilene’s original Buick dealership, a fact that is obvious from the “Buick” spelled out in the tile floor.
“I’ve talked about carpeting the place, but every time I mention it, people say they don’t want me to cover up the history in the tile,” he said.
There is more history to the building. Many people will recognize it by the large Coca-Cola sign on the roof. It needs some paint touch-up, but Rose said he’ll keep it, even though the soft-drink manufacturer “has abandoned it. They used to pay $25 a month for the space, but after I bought the store … no checks.”

Civic Activities: Disability Resources Inc. board member for six year; member Missionary Committee at Highland Church of Christ and liaison couple for two missionaries who are about to leave for Lima, Peru

Best Advice: "Start from where you are at" – Charlie Grissom, former owner of D&W Furniture

Just at the time a business owner should be shouting with joy, Tom Rose had his big day shattered. He was signing the paperwork to purchase the furniture store he had managed for a decade. He was going be the owner.

But the thrill went away a little before 8 a.m. that day … Sept. 11, 2001.

Abilene business icon D&W Furniture was soon to become Thomas Everett's Fine Furniture, taking Rose's first and middle names, and trying to shed the store's historic image of selling tires alongside sofa-sleepers.

Rose spent 11 years at two other Abilene furniture stores, before becoming manager of D&W, then owned by Charlie and Marge Grissom.

The advice from Charlie Grissom, never was more true – "Start from where you are at."

Changes

The furniture business is really difficult these days, Rose said. Part of it is the increasing cost, not just of gasoline, but of steel and fabric.

"So much furniture is imported these days," he said. "‘Made in the U.S.A.' doesn't mean what it used to. We tried to buy U.S.A. only, but some manufacturers here have gone out of business.

"At some point in time, import prices will be just as high as those for American-built furniture."

And, the mind-set of many customers has changed.

"We live in a throwaway world. It your TV breaks, you don't go get it fixed, you buy a new one. People used to buy a sofa and expect it to last 15 to 20 years. The younger generation today keeps it for five years and buys a new one."

He reminds people, "You get what you pay for. We have sofas that sell for $499. We have sofas that sell for $5,000. Our job is to help you understand what you are getting for your money."

Rose explains that his sales staff takes a little different approach than some other furniture businesses.

"We listen to our customers, rather than selling," he said, "We show them the workmanship, take out the drawers and explain things like the different kinds of dovetailing."

Over the years, Rose has had some interesting experiences in the store, like the folks who "when we delivered their new furniture, wanted us to put their old furniture in the truck and take it across town to their children's house. It was only across town."

Then there was the family that bought a new bedroom set and asked Rose to store it for a little while. Two years later, they still hadn't painted that bedroom.

Community

Abilene's a far cry from Southern California, where he grew up a mile-and-a-half from the beach. Rose's wife Diane was the driving force behind the couple's move to Abilene from Southern California back in 1979. She was working on her education degree at Abilene Christian University. They fell in love with the city and its people. Today, she is principal at Bonham Elementary School.

Rose's life is far more than selling recliners.

He is an active member of the Disability Resources Inc., board of directors.

"That's a real blessing for me," Rose said. "I see people who are truly, truly happy, living every day with a joyous happy spirit."

Those people have developmental or physical handicaps, and DRI provides them a work atmosphere and training to help them flourish

He and his wife are active at Highland Church of Christ, where they serve on the Mission Committee. They are the liaison couple for Lee and Stephanie Fletcher, who are about to leave for at least five years to serve as missionaries to help set up a church in Lima, Peru.

"A ‘liaison couple' is the go-between for the missionaries," Rose said. "When they need something, they let us know and we make sure they get it."